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Tag: Lagos State

  • Trader, 26, in court for alleged assault on neighbour

    A 26-year-old trader, Hauwa Judge, who allegedly assaulted her neighbour by pouring hot water on her chest was on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Hauwa, who resides at No. 17, Idowu Rafiu St., Iboru, Iyana-ipaja, a Lagos suburb, is facing a charge of assault.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Mathew Akhaluode, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 14 at about 7.30 a.m. at her residence.

    He alleged that the accused unlawfully inflicted injuries on the complainant, Doris Kelly, a nursing mother, when she poured a bucket of hot water on her chest during an argument.
    “The argument started when the accused said the complainant poured urine at the entrance of her house.
    “They started exchanging words before the complainant knew it; the accused poured a bucket of hot water on her.

    “She was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital where she is still receiving treatment,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Man in court for intimidating wife

    The offence contravened Section 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 ( Revised ). The newsmen report that the section prescribes a three- year imprisonment for offenders.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs A. A. Adetunji, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said the sureties should be gainfully employed and they should show evidence of two years tax payments to the Lagos State Government. Adetunji adjourned the case until May 25, for mention.

    NAN

  • Motorcylist in court for alleged manslaughter

    The Police on Tuesday arraigned a 28-year-old motorcyclist, Mudasiru Oladoja, in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly causing the death of a 12-year-old girl, Blessing Ogodo.

    Oladoja, who resides at No 23, Mathew St., Alagbado, a Lagos Suburb is being tried for reckless driving and causing death.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Christopher John, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 17, at Blue Banana Bus-stop, Along AIT/ Kola Expressway, Alagbado, a Lagos suburb.

    John said the accused dangerously and recklessly rode a motorcycle with Reg. Number AYE 375 WX on the highway and resulted in the death of Ogodo.

    He said the offence contravened Section 19( 2 ) Law No 4 Vol. 45 of Road Traffic Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

    Read Also: Court orders remand of applicant over alleged robbery at gun point

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Chief Magistrate, Mr P.E Nwaka, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Nwaka ordered that the surety should show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government as part of the bail conditions.

    He further ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should be employees.

    The chief magistrate adjourned the case until June 13 for hearing.

    NAN

  • Court orders remand of applicant over alleged robbery at gun point

    An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of 30-year-old applicant, Micheal Akanbi, accused of robbing at gun point.

    The Magistrate, Mrs S. K. Matepo, who ordered remand of Akanbi in Kirikiri Prison, did not take his plea, but ordered that the case file be taken to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

    The magistrate adjourned the case until Aug. 2.

    The defendant who resides at Ikorodu, Lagos, was docked on charges bordering on conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of arms.

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Innocent Odugbo, told the court that the offences were committed on Dec. 19, 2017, and Jan. 2 , 2018, at Oshodi and Mile 2 area of Lagos, respectively.

    Odugbo said that the defendant and his accomplice, robbed one Nnamdi Eze of his Toyota car, valued at N1.8 million at gun point.

    “The complainant was on his way home at exactly 8:21 p.m. along Oshodi road when the accused and his other accomplice who were on motorcycle deliberately hit the car from behind.

    Read Also: Corruption: Court insists Justice Yunusa has case to answer

    “He stopped the engine of his car to see the damage and the next thing was that they pointed a gun at him and snatched his car,’’ Odugbo said.

    Odugbo also alleged that the defendant and his accomplice, robbed a woman, Moninuola Ajayi, who was coming out from a warehouse with bundles of clothes valued at N4 million.

    “The accused way laid the truck, stopped them, went away with the bundles of clothes at gun point,”he said.

    Odugbo said that the cases were reported at the police station and the police placed the suspects on wanted list.

    “The police got an information about the accused where about and he was tracked down and arrested, ” he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 328, 297 and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    NAN

  • Lagos to award Fourth Mainland Bridge contract June

    The Lagos State Government will in June award contract for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, an official said on Wednesday.

    The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ade Akinsanya, gave the assurance at a ministerial press briefing at Alausa, Ikeja.

    He said that the state was collating technical proposals and evaluating costs toward awarding contract.

    Akinsanya said that committees had been set up to shop for quality contractors on the project.

    “I do hope that before the end of May or June, we will announce the preferred bidder for the project.

    “We are working very hard to select the appropriate and responsible contractor or partners that will execute the project.

    “Before the end of the year, the project will commence,” he said.

    The official said that the ministry was ready to partner with the Nigerian Society of Engineers to ensure quality project execution in the state.

    He also said that the Oshodi-Abule Egba Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane construction on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway was 55 per cent completed.

    Akinsanya said that the project would be completed by October.

    “The contractor is working day and night even at weekends to achieve this target.

    “Bear with us, if there are inconveniences on the way; we are trying to minimise the inconveniences to accelerate the work,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said that the state government was committed to quality project delivery and would address concerns of some badly constructed walkways.

    “On the issue of the walkway from Cement Bus Stop, I will go and check.

    “We will talk to the contractor and we will go there ourselves and verify.

    “No shoddy work will be allowed; there is a specification; the contractor is required to adhere to the specification,” he said.

    Mr Tobun Abiodun, Chairman, Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Lagos State House of Assembly, said that the ministry had done well in road, bridge and other constructions.

    “Lagosians appreciate what the ministry is doing because they have witnessed good governance in the state,” he said

     

  • Lawyer condemns Senate, Omo-Agege for desecrating hallowed chamber

    A lawyer and former member of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Ogala, has condemned the act of desecrating the hallowed chambers of the Senate by the suspended Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s thugs and holds the Senate fully responsible for laying the foundation for the desecration and anarchy.

    Ogala who spoke to newsmen at Ikeja on Wednesday on the development in the Senate said it was an unfortunate incident in the Senate arm of the National Assembly .

    The public affairs analyst said, “It is a highly condemnable act of brigandage and assault not just on the legislature but the constitution. It is sheer anarchy.

    “But in so saying, one must note that the Senate set the stage for the madness and anarchy with the suspension of Senator Omo-Agege in flagrant disregard of the Senate Rules and the Orders of Court.

    “And why do I say so? The rules of the Senate has expressly provided that once a matter is pending before a court of law, the Senate shall not deliberate on same or do any act that may interfere with the proceedings of the court.”

    He argued further that Senator Omo-Agege had gone to court and obtained an order of Court to restrain the Senate and its Committee on Ethics and Privileges from taking further steps on the investigations of his conduct pending the determination of the suit.

    But that despite receiving the Order of Court , the Senate at plenary rather than stay action proceeded to  condemn the order of Court and abuse the judge who granted the order .

    “It even had the temerity to adopt a motion to write and indeed wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria threatening and asking him to call judges to order.

    “And as if that was not enough, it still went ahead to invite the senator who when he attended the  committee sitting declined to speak and reminded the committee of the order of Court and also  reminded it of the provision of the Senate rules that prohibits it from deliberating on a matter that’s lis pendis”.

    And that notwithstanding the order of court and it’s rules,  the Senate set both aside and went on to suspend Senator Omo-Agege.

    “It will be recalled that before the instant case,   the Federal High Court had earlier delivered judgement in Senator Ali Ndume v NASS  and ruled that the Senate or any legislative house  had no constitutional powers to suspend an elected  member  and that same is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

    “The Senate being aware of its own rules, the judgement in Ali Ndume case and the order in Omo – Agege case still went ahead to purpoetedly suspend the senator.

    This Ogala said is condemnable.

  • Lagos Assembly begins three-day capacity-building workshop for staff

    The Speaker, Lagos State Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, says the staff in the legislative house need to be trained, to add value to what is being done there.

    “Without training the workers, we are harming the society,” Obasa, represented by Mr Olumuyiwa Jimoh, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, said on Wednesday.

    He made the remark as the house of assembly began a three-day capacity building workshop for its staff, tagged: “Effective Capturing, Report Writing, Documentation and Presentation of Parliamentary Proceedings”, to enhance their performance in legislative business.

    Obasa said that such training would be regular, to sustain the Assembly’s motto of “above the common standards of excellence’’.

    “The only methodology that we can use to develop ourselves is to train the trainers and educate the educators.

    “These staff needs to be educated for them to even add value to whatever we are doing.

    “It is the bureaucratic system that determines direction and dimension of whatever the political and economic system are doing,” he said.

    The speaker said the development of bureaucratic system should be in geometric progression instead of arithmetic progression, hence the need to do more.

    According to him, the development and growth of any country lies in the capacity of the civil service.

    Also speaking, the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, said that the workshop was another decisive and epoch-making stride by the House to raise the performance of the staff.

    Sanni, who commended the leadership and management of the House, said that the workshop would improve parliamentary reporting and legislative practices.

    Read Also: Lagos remits N9.56b into workers pension accounts

    “This training is borne out of an urgent need by the leadership of the House to address certain areas of inadequate performance by some of the staffers, and which has been a source of growing concern.

    “This programme has been packaged to deepen the skills and proficiency of staff in the three core directorates of the House — the Legislative Matters, Legislative Drafting and Legal Services, and Publications — in the art of writing and indeed other areas peculiar to their duties and practices.

    “This is with a view to ensuring improved productivity,’’ he said.

    The clerk said that the staff had been commended and respected within and outside for their commanding display of knowledge, experience and understanding.

    He said that the workshop, among other issues, would review the current reporting and documentation process in the House with a view to improving the standards.

    NAN

  • Lagos sweeps honours at Nestle Milo Western Conference Basketball Championships

    Lagos State Male and Female Basketball teams have emerged the zonal winners of the 20th Nestle-Milo Secondary School Basketball Championships on April 17, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan.

    The International School, University of Lagos (UNILAG) male Basketball team, defeated their Ogun counterparts, Victorroti Private Secondary School from Olokuta, Idi-Aba 71-41 to win the trophy and cash awards at stake.

    In the same vein, Westley Girls Secondary School, Yaba, Lagos, defeated Yejide Girls Secondary School, Oyo State 36-35 in the female final to edge out their opponents.

    For the male and female categories, seven teams each from Groups A and B contested for the final pairings before the winners emerged.

    Both Bello Anuoluwapo of Westley Secondary School and Adeoye Oluwapo of International School, UNILAG emerged the Most Valuable Players (MVP) of the female and male categories respectively.

    It will be recalled that the just-concluded Western Conference Basketball Championships which dunked off on April 12, served as the qualifier for the national finals coming up in Lagos from May 3 to May 10.

    At the event, all the male and female team winners from the four conferences will be contesting for the grand trophy.

    Speaking at the finals of the Western Conference, Boladale Odunlami, Branch Manager of North Central, Nestle Nigeria Plc., said that Milo brand in Nigeria and globally, had been in the forefront of the development of grassroots sports in the country.

    “I like to emphasis that Milo Secondary School Basketball Championship has played a crucial role in grassroots sports development in Nigeria and Nestle is committed to sustaining this development in the year to come,” he said.

    He said that a good number of players from the Premier Basketball league in Nigeria had participated in the Milo Secondary School Basketball championships at one time or the other.

    NAN

     

  • We’re building enduring Infrastructure to drive tourism – Ambode

    …Says Sector Contributed N800bn to Lagos GDP In 2017

    …Lagos Can Truly Become Hub For Tourism In Africa –  Mahama

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday said his administration was consciously investing huge resources to develop an enduring infrastructural architecture that would ensure that the State’s tourism potentials are fully harnessed for all round economic growth and development.

    The Governor, who spoke at the Lagos Tourism Summit, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, with the theme- ‘Destination Lagos: Towards A Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy’, said the plans, concepts and executions of his administration are deliberate and well thought-out to make the highly populated mega city-state culturally attractive and artistically functional.

    “As a government, we are conscious of the fact that infrastructure, security, stability and partnership with all stakeholders are fundamental ingredients for tourism development. We have channeled a lot of resources into creating an enduring infrastructural architecture for the business of tourism to thrive,” he said.

    He said his administration was not unmindful of the fact that for the State to match up with other leading world tourism destinations like Miami; São Paulo; Dubai, Singapore and Tokyo as well as African cities such as Cape Town, Cairo, Marrakech and Accra, the right infrastructure has to be put in place.

    “In order to do this successfully, we must first build a solid infrastructural architecture that will endure. It must be safe and secure; it must provide functional and diverse venues for the arts, culture, festivals, creative industry, recreation and wildlife; and it must constantly and productively engage with its critical stakeholders.

    “So when you see us reclaim 50 hectares of land at the Oworonshoki end of our lagoon; when you see us clear a whole stretch at the Badagry and Epe Marina; when we insist that our prime waterfront must not be taken over by shanties and slums; when you see us embark on some ambitious road, fly-over and modern bus terminal constructions; we are preparing the grounds for a major source of employment and prosperity.

    “When you see us continue to plead for the control of wasting federal assets like the National Arts Theatre, National Museum and National Stadium and possibly declare our intention to have the Muritala Mohammed International Airport concessioned to us; we are focused on our tourism sector.

    “When you see our unwavering commitment in changing the face of public transportation, committing more funds to providing jetties and expanding access to waterways, please know that we are driven only by the need to build and sustain the needed infrastructure upon which an enduring tourism landscape can stand and outlive our administration and those coming after us,” the Governor said.

    Alluding to the massive opportunities available in the sector, Governor Ambode said that the activities within the tourism sector contributed about N800billion to the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2017.

    “The tourism sector contributed about $2.2billion (N800billion) to the Lagos GDP in 2017 and with the infrastructure and resources we are deploying in this sector, we expect this figure to double or treble in the next 5 years.

    “The enormous resources we have deployed in physical and social infrastructure across the State will begin to crystallize by December into mega structures that will support tourism and market our state as a smart destination,” the Governor said.

    Noting that Nigeria boasts of very rich culture and heritage, Governor Ambode said it was not in doubt that the country has the largest concentration of the black race, adding that Lagos sits in a better position to tell the story of the black race.

    He said the Lagos Tourism Master plan, which would emerge at the end of the summit was premised in the context of the fact that the State can become an iconic brand of the black race.

    “The Tourism Master Plan is focused on Six (6) key sectors; Culture and Heritage, Film, Art and Entertainment, Business Tourism, Nature and Adventure, Medical and Wellness, Beach and Leisure,” Governor Ambode said.

    Besides, he said the Tourism Summit, coming a week after a Security Summit was held at the same venue was a demonstration of the government’s commitment to find alternative platforms that can enrich and propel the State to prosperity continuously.

    In his keynote address, former President of Ghana, Mr. John Dramani Mahama said that Lagos has the potentials to emerge as a foremost destination for tourism development in Africa.

    While commending Governor Ambode for his efforts towards growing tourism through investment in infrastructure, he said with the billions of dollars revolving in the sector across the world and over 1.8billion tourists, the State was heading in the right direction in its bid to become Africa’s tourism hub.

    “I’ve been following the progress Lagos has made on various fronts and I join those who have celebrated Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the contributions he has made within this short period to enhance the efforts and contributions of his predecessors.

    “There are potential billions of naira in revenue that Lagos State could earn in the next several years with the successful implementation of the plan that you intend could come out of this summit.

    “If you look at the nearly $7trillion that is supposed to be earned from tourism, then definitely Lagos State positioning itself as a favourite destination for tourism in order to get a share of this huge cake is a very wise decision by Governor Ambode and his team.

    “Thankfully, Lagos in preparation for the launch of the State’s tourism master plan has began upgrading and expanding critical infrastructure including transportation, roads and of course the recent reclamation that is ongoing,” Mahama said.

    Several paper presentations by speakers at the Summit including Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Professor Pat Utomi, Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi, Mrs Omotayo Omotosho, Mr. Philip Hughes, while commending the State Government for putting together the summit, made recommendations on what Lagos must do to harness the massive potentials in the tourism sector.

  • Don’t make health insurance scheme compulsory, stakeholders tell LASG

    Some residents of Lagos State spoke against making the state health insurance scheme compulsory.

    The stakeholders made this known at a-day stakeholders’ meeting on, “A Bill for a Law to Amend the Lagos State Health Scheme, 2015,” held at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, Assembly Complex.

    The meeting was organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly Ad-hoc Committee on Health Services headed by Hon. Segun Olulade.

    The stakeholders were particular about Section 6 of the amendment, which stipulates that the scheme shall be compulsory and applicable to all residents of the state.

    They said that some residents have been covered by one health insurance scheme or the other, and that the amendment would lead to multiple taxations.

    The extant provision states that the scheme shall be compulsory and apply to all residents of the state that are not covered by an existing health scheme.

    The section also says that all residents in the formal or informal sector must provide evidence of being covered by the scheme or an existing scheme.

    In his contributions, Mr Francis Ogunremi, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Lagos State, said that a representative of TUC should also be a member of the board just as a member of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was included

    Ogunremi said that some residents in both formal and informal sectors have health schemes already, and that making the scheme compulsory will not work. He called on the Assembly to look into this and harmonise it to avoid confusion.

    Mr Thompson Akpabio from the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), who spoke on Section 2  said that the extent of  the supervisory role of the ministry on the board was not clear. He suggested oversight instead of supervision to avoid clashes.

    On section 6, Akpabio said: “I will urge that we maintain the status quo, not making the scheme compulsory. The extant provision should not be amended. This scheme should be only for those not covered under any existing scheme,”

    Dr Sylvester Akande, from USAID, who also reacted to sections 2 and 6 of the amendment said the relationship between the board and the ministry of health should be well spelt out.

    According to another stakeholder, Mr Obinna Okechukwu, it would not be reasonable to say that those who are already on National Health Insurance Scheme should also buy into the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme.

    On the sections 2 and 6, the Speaker said that the House would look at the strength of the submissions and factor them into the final bill.

    Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa said earlier in his keynote address that the state could not leave the health services to chance, hence the need to amend the state health scheme, 2015.

    “Health is wealth and the state government is poised to improving health of its residents. Nigerian constitution puts insurance on exclusive legislative list.

    In an overview of the bill, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the House said that the Assembly was proposing an amendment to only six sections of the 64- section- state’s Health Insurance scheme.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Hon. Segun Olulade, Chairman, Ad hoc Committee on Health Service said that the amendments would lead to a robust and good law that would improve healthcare delivery in the state.

    “I believe that we are on the path of positive improvement on the things that have to do with hearty .

    “All over the world, no government can on its own fund the health sector, so the health scheme is part of the inclusive policy of the Ambode’s administration aimed at ensuring all residents of the state.

    “It will help, especially those at the lower rung of the ladder, access qualitative medical services on real time.

    “This is a law that allows us to do the Health Insurance Scheme, which is targeted at the most needy and the poor that cannot afford ordinary healthcare.

    “We believe that if we pull the resources of every other person in the state together, those that cannot afford will have a chance to access qualitative healthcare,” he said.

    The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris told newsmen that the amendment came from the state executive council based on its commitment to improve healthcare.

    On the plan to make the scheme compulsory, Idris said:”We believe it should be made compulsory for all residents to have health insurance scheme in the spirit of universal health coverage.

  • Lagos urges finance managers to adhere to internal control processes

    The Lagos State Government has called on Finance and Account officers in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of the State Government to adhere strictly to internal control processes.

     The State Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, State Treasury Office, Mrs. Abimbola Umar, said that strict adherence to the control processes would assist in checkmating sharp practices in financial management and complement the transparency culture already entrenched within the accounting system of the State.

    Umar spoke in Alausa during a Technical Meeting with Directors/Heads of Accounts Departments across all the MDAs.

    She noted that the internal controls are put in place so that government’s activities, policies and plans would be efficiently integrated into the vision of the State Government.

    “It is your job to ensure that Government resources are judiciously spent and for the purpose of which they have been budgeted for, such that issues of fraud and mismanagement would not occur”.

    She called for proper documentation of financial transactions as prescribed in the financial regulations, urging them to avoid situations where their work would be queried as a result of neglect of basic control procedures.

    Umar used the occasion to remind the finance managers on the position of the State Government on the Central Billing System (CBS), urging those who are yet to transit to the CBS to ensure compliance with immediate effect.

    The Director, Central Internal Audit Department, Mrs Olusola Oduguwa, while making a presentation on Audit Control Activities, said that proper auditing enhances transparency for government on one hand and also ensures that quality service delivery is given to all stakeholders.

    She noted that it is important for auditors and accountants to work together and progressively move the State forward.

    “Auditors are not hound, neither are they bull dogs, auditors are only meant to act as consultants that will provide advice and guidance” she said.

    She said that having strong internal controls in place prevents financial managers from being accused of irregularities or misappropriation of fund. “It also makes it more compelling for Directors of Finance and Accounts within the employ of the state government to continue to follow the provisions of all control measures stated in both the Public Finance Management and Audit Laws of the State,” she said.